Chapter Summary

Job's answer continued. He insists on his integrity.

Discussion Questions for Job, Chapter 31

1. Where Job is specific with the covenant he made with his eyes (ESV, verse 1), what are some further examples of things Job or Christians today do not allow themselves to “gaze” (ESV)?
2. Taking this idea further, Job claims that he has made this covenant with his eyes for his “heritage from the Almighty” (ESV, verse 2). What kind of “calamity” (ESV, verse 3) would someone like Job expect if he didn’t keep this covenant? And how is this a helpful motivation, beyond obedience to God?
3. From Job’s requests in verses 5-7, how can Job be confident in standing before God? Does it seem like this kind of life is typical for those who follow God? What commentary does this give to Christians experiencing wrongs that seem undeserved?
4. Consider verses 9-10 compared with Leviticus 24:20. How is Job attempting to keep the Law with his mentality? How might this take the Law too far? And what harm could it cause?
5. Seeing the depth of this evil, however, how does Job mean that such immorality would “burn to the root all my increase”? (ESV, verse 12) Where this is not the primary reason for obedience, what place do these secondary reasons have in the Christian life to keep from evil?
6. What broad reason does Job employ for just his need to treat people well? How should Christians apply this beyond employees, but to all people? Is there any instance where this ideal could not be used?
7. Why does Job say in verse 23, “I could not have faced his majesty”? (ESV) What is it about God’s “majesty” that evil or sin could not stand to face him?
8. What two kinds of idolatry does Job consider as possible sins he committed in verses 24-28? By listing probable sins of his surrounding community and nations, how does Job make it easier to vindicate himself? In an effort to understand your own self-deception, how would you take it easy on yourself in a similar way?
9. In verse 35, Job cries out that he wants his wrongs “written by my adversary!” (ESV) Thinking of times you might have received a silent treatment or gone without an explanation for a difficult event, why would you want it in writing? Is this healthy for Christians to desire?
10. As you finish the chapter, compare the theme of this passage, deserving punishment in the case of sin alone, with the next time Job speaks again, in Job 40:4-5. Where Job realizes his “small account” (Job 40:4, ESV), what could be added or taken away from this passage to better reflect his station before God?

Key Words/Phrase

Integrity, v. 6.

Characters

God, Job, friends.

Strong Verse(s)

4, 14.